BubbleStream

Virginia Kay White

Little Honker's Patriotic Paws

Synopsis

What could a polydactyl cat add to the Swinging Tails band? Bongos, of course! Jack moves from Key West to Little Honker’s neighborhood and discovers his love of music can continue when the Tails invite him to join their band. The band gives a paw-some dream performance during the Independence Day celebration and then an unusual flare makes this celebration a day never to be forgotten.

Author Biography

When my first Siamese cat gave birth to six kittens on my bed, my appreciation for differences and the love of cats started. Cats and students have been a big part of my life for fifty years. Creative Writing was among the high school English courses I taught over my forty years in the classroom. I always wrote with my students. It provided me with knowledge of the assignment and led me down my own path of discovery. After retirement I was able to follow my passion of writing for young readers. I enjoy reading my books in elementary school classrooms and talking to my audience. They always provide me with amazing ideas and I have been able to use some of them to create new stories. I live in Colorado with my husband and one senior cat. I also enjoy being an active grandmother.

Author Insight

All You Need Is Skunk-a-tude

Sometimes you need a friend to boost your confidence. In this passage, Weezie is nervous about the recording they are making for the Independence Day contest. She is part of the band, but new things scare her and this is new. Jack is there to give her confidence and that is just what she needs.
I look back to the many times in my life when I faced something new and questioned my ability to move forward. I was nervous too. But, with the encouragement from my husband, I developed a "Skunk-a-tude" sort of attitude of my own. Success!

Book Excerpt

Little Honker's Patriotic Paws

“We know. We will talk to her,” said Kari. “Are you clear, Warren, about how we will set this up?”

“I got it,” said Warren. Warren was excited and suddenly filled with confidence. He really wanted the Tails to win this contest! “Let’s do this! We have the catatudes and it’s purr-fect.”

The next day when the Tails arrived for a jam session, Kari and Kris talked to them about the recording process. As they were doing that, Weezie kept nervously moving around.

“Are you scared, Weezie? No special perfume now. We are not going to do anything but record “Patriotic Paws.” Don’t pay any attention to us. Pretend we’re not here,” explained Kris. “You’ll be fine. You’re great on the milk jug. Think about that.”

Weezie nodded and took her place by her milk jug. She started her nervous foot maneuvers but stopped. “I can do this,” she said to herself.

Jack was beside her, rubbed up against her, and meowed softly, “You can do this Weezie. You’ve got skunk-a-tude!”

The Tails all looked at Jack and Weezie. The band was coming together in so many ways.